Michael and Marcus — Twinning is winning

Womb-mates and now roommates, the Weathers’ twins live together both on and off the basketball court.

Marcus is three inches taller and 30 pounds heavier, though Michael is seven whole minutes older. They take turns answering questions, and it’s obvious that they’re best friends and they think they have twin telepathy.

They’re sitting by the court at Millett, their long legs sprawling in front of them. The 18-year-old freshmen just finished a post-game autograph session. Michael slouches more. They have the same haircut, but Marcus’s hair is centimeters longer.

They grew up in Roeland Park, Kansas with their older sister and their mom. She thought they’d break something if they played football, so she handed them a basketball. They played each other one-on-one at their local park until they joined a rec league in fifth grade.

Seven years later, the twins found themselves at a Kansas City Applebee’s with Miami’s head basketball coach, John Cooper. The brothers knew they wanted to go to the same university. There had been interest from other Division 1 schools, but Cooper made Miami sound like home. With seven seniors graduating last year, Michael and Marcus would have the opportunity to play right away.

And Michael did. He started in Miami’s first game of the season, and he’s averaging 16.6 points a game — the team’s highest. Marcus has seen his time on the court increase and averages just under 10 points a game.

“I’m more quick, fast and aggressive,” Michael says. “He’s more slow, methodical and stuff like that.”

“I like that,” Marcus confirms. “I like that description.”

Michael is majoring in criminal justice, Marcus in psychology. They’ve helped each other through the transition to college and have since figured out how to manage their free time. This semester, they take Latin American Studies together. That’s a first, because back in grade school they never got put in the same class.

When you hear about their childhood, it’s easy to understand why.

When asked to tell a funny story, they point at each other, struggling to pick just one. Each has stories of how the other got in trouble.

“You remember that time in elementary school?” Marcus says. “When you were running around the school…”

“…and you had to chase me down?” Michael finishes.

“Yeah!” Marcus says. “He got in trouble and then [the teachers] came to my class and they were like, ‘Mark, get your brother.’ And I was like, ‘Alright.’ And I ran out there and had to chase him through the whole school.”

Michael continues, “I was going to say the one time you put my head in the wall.”

“Oh yeah,” Marcus says, and nods.

“So we love watching WWE, so we would act out our favorite characters,” Michael starts. “So, he picked me up and put my head in the wall. And there was a huge hole in the wall and we both got in trouble for it.”

“Yeah, that was bad,” Marcus allows.

“And remember that time you put my foot in the wall?”

“Yeah, that was bad too.” Marcus’s tone drops and he grimaces a little. “We tried to cover that up with stuffed animals.”

They fight less now, especially since Marcus lets Michael win the arguments. Michael insists he’s just the better arguer. Both can agree that they have more fun in college – playing basketball, listening to music, watching movies.

The twins love J. Cole but Michael would rather watch “I Am Legend” than Marcus’s favorite movie, “Training Day.” Even though they had both wanted to play football, if they aren’t watching basketball they’ll be watching baseball. Marcus thinks that Michael is better with girls, so of course Michael thinks Marcus is the ladies’ man.

Michael claims they’re always in sync on the court, but Marcus checks him, saying that they argue sometimes.

Do you balance each other out?

“Yeah,” they say at the same time.

Michael smiles and Marcus thinks.

“I’m more loud,” Michael says.

“That’s a good way to put it,” Marcus says. “We really balance each other out.”

“I’m more loud, but he’s more quiet,” Michael says again, still smiling.

Marcus takes longer to get out of bed in the morning. He also takes longer to get ready. Marcus doesn’t dispute the allegations, but the brothers fight when asked who the favorite child is, both convinced it’s the other twin.